How to Build a FreeNAS Server

by David Weedmark, Demand Media

FreeNAS is a free, open-source storage platform ideal for storing and sharing data across networks with multiple operating systems, including Windows, Apple and UNIX. FreeNAS is based on FreeBSD, a free UNIX-based operating system. You can build your own server and install FreeNAS on it, as long as your hardware is compatible with FreeBSD.

System Requirements

Before gathering the components for a server, it's important to determine which are compatible with FreeNAS and what the minimum system requirements are. The minimum requirements for the current version of FreeNAS are listed on the FreeNAS.org website version comparison page. As of January 2012, the minimum requirements for FreeNAS 8 are 2GB of hard disk space and 4GB of memory. Because FreeNAS is based on FreeBSD, all the components that are compatible with FreeBSD are also compatible with FreeNAS. These are listed on the FreeBSD website.

Server Components

Many of the components you need for your server can be purchased online. The motherboard is the most important component, as it will determine what kind of processor you can use, how much memory it can accommodate, how many network cards you can install and what size case you will need. Verify the number of hard drives the case can accommodate if you plan to use more than one internal hard drive. Also determine what kind of hard drive controller card you may need for multiple hard drives. In addition to these components, you will need a graphics card if one is not built into the motherboard, and a power supply if it is not already built into the case. You will also need a keyboard, mouse and CD drive.

Preparing for Installation

The latest version of FreeNAS is available for download from the FreeNAS.org website. The best way to install this on your new server is to burn it to a CD using an image-burning software, such as ImgBurn, ISO Image Burner or Magic ISO Maker. You will then need to boot the server from the CD, which is a setting available from the computer BIOS menu. You can get to this menu by pressing either "Delete" or "F10" as the computer is starting. You can then select the CD as the boot drive and restart the computer.

Installation

Once the server boots from the CD, FreeNAS displays a Console Setup screen. You can then select "Install/Upgrade to Hard Drive," then "Install Full OS on HDD + DATA + SWAP" to install FreeNAS to the server. You will be asked to select a source drive and a destination drive. The source drive is "cd0." Hard drives are designated as "ad" in FreeBSD systems. In most cases, you can accept the minimum recommended sizes for the operating system, or OS, partition and the swap partition. Once you have selected these, pressing "Enter" will begin the installation process. Make a note of all the notifications displayed on the screen, including the disk format parameters and locations. When the installation is complete, you will be prompted to reboot the server, after which you can begin configuring it according to your needs.

About the Author

David Weedmark's articles have appeared in dozens of publications since 1989, including "The Windsor Star" and "The Ottawa Citizen." As well as being a technology consultant, he is the author of several books, including "The Tanglewood Murders." Weedmark studied English at the University of Toronto.

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